Ch 26 — Learning from the Enemy

Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.

Contents (44 chapters)

1. Ch 1 — The Secret of Life
2. Ch 2 — An Economic Pearl Harbour
3. Ch 3 — Japanese—A Model of Peace
4. Ch 4 — Accepting Defeat
5. Ch 5 — Victory Without War
6. Ch 6 — The Condition For Success
7. Ch 7 — We Have the Ability to Bounce Back
8. Ch 8 — A Comparison
9. Ch 9 — Paths to Success: Hard Work After Defeat
10. Ch 10 — Planning Based on Remnant
11. Ch 11 — The Greatest Good
12. Ch 12 — The Temperament of Japan
13. Ch 13 — Twenty Years Later
14. Ch 14 — Per Ardua Ad Astra
15. Ch 15 — Awareness of Purpose
16. Ch 16 — Character Builds the Nation
17. Ch 17 — Moral State
18. Ch 18 — Constructive Temperament
19. Ch 19 — Collective Action
20. Ch 20 — The Only Path
21. Ch 21 — Living in the Culture of Discovery
22. Ch 22 — Discovery, Discovery, Discovery
23. Ch 23 — Price of Excellence
24. Ch 24 — The Highest Standard
25. Ch 25 — Impartiality: The Secret of Success
26. Ch 26 — Learning from the Enemy
27. Ch 27 — The System of Nature
28. Ch 28 — The Second Chance
29. Ch 29 — Action, Not Reaction
30. Ch 30 — Elevated Thinking
31. Ch 31 — Making History
32. Ch 32 — The Example of Japan
33. Ch 33 — Signs of God
34. Ch 34 — Evidence of God
35. Ch 35 — Science Towards Oneness of God
36. Ch 36 — The Testimony of Science
37. Ch 37 — Unveiling the Unseen: The Essential Journey of Discovery in Faith
38. Ch 38 — Security and Truth
39. Ch 39 — Another Potential
40. Ch 40 — Zero Defect Universe is Under God's Control
41. Ch 41 — Japan's Target of 'Zero-Defect' Introduces Paradise
42. Ch 42 — The Life of Paradise
43. Ch 43 — Deserving of Paradise
44. Ch 44 — Only Positive Personalities Will Find Entry into Paradise

The example of Japan tells us that in this world, great success belongs to those who seek to learn from everyone, whether friend or foe. p. 55

THE SYSTEM OF NATURE p. 56

Diversity and difference are fundamental principles of the world, forming the foundation of human progress. The clash of perspectives sparks new ideas, fueling intellectual growth, while the challenges born of diversity inspire creativity and drive innovation. p. 56

Zauq Dehlavi (1789–1854) is a famous Urdu poet. One of his verses states: p. 56

“Flowers of various hues adorn the garden; oh, Zauq, this world is beautified by its diversity.” p. 56

This is a law of nature. If you stand in a garden, you will notice that each plant and tree has a unique appearance. Every tree’s flowers display a distinct colour in their bloom, making the whole garden a symphony of diversity. Even the birds sing in varied voices. They convey that the Creator delights in a garden where the koel’s song harmonizes with the bulbul’s chirp, where one bird’s melody differs from another’s, creating a tapestry of sounds. Everything embodies a new example of diversity. p. 56

This diversity is found in every element of the universe, including humans. Studies in biology and psychology reveal that every human being is entirely different from another. Not only are fingerprints unique, but even each person’s cells differ from those of others. One person’s eyes do not match another’s. This diversity and difference are not merely for aesthetic beauty; they hold profound wisdom within. The truth is that all human progress is rooted in this diversity and difference. It is through this that discoveries are made, ideas clash, and ultimately, intellectual evolution takes place. Mutual challenges arise from this diversity, stimulating mental alertness and creativity. p. 57

In any gathering where all participants share the same opinion, no new ideas emerge. In an industrial system where all engineers are moulded in the same way, new technology cannot be achieved. In a society where all writers share the same taste, creative literature cannot flourish. In a country where all politicians come from the same mould, they cannot accomplish great political feats. p. 57